“Tale of Angola” by Aaron Shepard

 “Tale of Angola” by Aaron Shepard is from the Mbaka tribe, part of the Ambundu people of northwest Angola. In most of Africa, it is the custom for a groom to send a wedding gift to the bride’s family. 

A young man named Kimana wishes to marry the Sky Maiden, a woman from Heaven. He writes a letter to her father, the Sun Chief, asking for her hand in marriage. Kimana asked a rabbit, an Antelope and a Hawk if they could take the letter but they all refused.

 At last, a Frog, who lives by a well, takes the letter and hides in it. The girls who serve the Sun Chief in Heaven come to the well, fill their water jugs, and sing their song. The frog jumps into one of the jugs and goes to Heaven.

The Sun Chief notices and reads the letter. He asks the girls and his wife Mool Lady if they brought the letter. But they say no. Then he asks his daughter who asks for a wedding gift. The frog takes the letter to Kimana. Next the frog takes a purse of money to the Sun Chief. So the daughter asks the man to fetch her. The Sun Chief writes the letter. The frog secretly takes it. As usual, Kimana accepts that he could not go and fetch her. But the frog says that it could bring her if it tries.

The next day, the Frog spits in all the jugs of water the girls carry to Heaven. They all fall sick after drinking the water. The Sun Chief calls for the spirit doctor, who tells him that Kimana has sent an evil spirit with a sickness.

Next day, the girls take the Sky maiden to the well. They leave her and return to Heaven.  Frog jumps out and promises to lead her to the man. The Sky Maiden laughs and asks if a frog could lead a woman. Frog says that it is the one who takes letter and money to Heaven. Then the Sky Maiden says that she has to marry the frog then. They live together. Kimana is still waiting for his bride.